The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Ocala, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services

Eco-friendly & clean work area.

PDCA Certified Member.

Your Go-To House Painting Company in Ocala, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More

Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.

Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Ocala, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More

The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Ocala, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses

We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:

01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.


03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.


05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Latest News in Ocala, FL
New technology takes center stage at Ocala Civic Theatre
Angela Durrellhttps://www.ocala.com/story/entertainment/theater/2023/03/15/at-oct-new-barco-laser-projection-system-is-star-of-stage-and-screen/69987085007/
For the Star-Banner | USA TODAY NETWORKThe Ocala Civic Theatre is joining the front line of top-tier technology in the theater world with a new Barco laser projection system, making its local debut with OCT's production of "Outside Mullingar," which is onstage now ...
For the Star-Banner | USA TODAY NETWORK
The Ocala Civic Theatre is joining the front line of top-tier technology in the theater world with a new Barco laser projection system, making its local debut with OCT's production of "Outside Mullingar," which is onstage now through March 19.
“We have 40 years of development in computerized lighting,” explained Barry Steele, the internationally renowned designer who implemented the system for OCT.
“Twenty years ago, the convergence of lighting and video design began. By now, Americans are accustomed to this level of visual storytelling from TV and movies — so our theaters have to be conversant in this language, as well. OCT has made a major step in that direction with this equipment.”
Go green:Irish pubs/restaurants in Ocala area get ready for St. Patrick's Day
Safe dining:10 Marion County restaurants get high-priority violations, one aces inspection
In films and television, greenscreen has been a standard pioneered and advanced by filmmakers like Lucasfilm/Industrial Light and Magic and Weta Workshop – the creators of the "Star Wars" prequels and the "Lord of the Rings" films.
The technology moved forward rapidly, developing into immersive environments and visual effects like StageCraft – a system of high-definition video screens displaying computer-generated backgrounds in facilities called “Volumes.”
They surround the actors with these screens, creating 360 degree virtual environments that actors no longer have to imagine. The Barco system at OCT is similar, albeit not quite as advanced as what ILM uses on "The Mandalorian."
“It’s the same kind of tech that was used in "Oblivion" (2013) with Tom Cruise, but it’s evolved after 10 years,” said Steele, who has created and designed more than 100 productions with the San Francisco Opera Center, Nantes Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Nai-Ni Chen Dance company.
“These were the same projectors that were used in that film. Even many top-of-the-line theaters don’t have a projector and screen of this quality,” Steele said.
All about the new system
The 30,000 lumen, high-definition laser projector has three times the gain in image quality and weighs in at 330 pounds – and just one bulb for this massive Goliath costs $7,000.
The enormous screen, made in Germany by Gerriets – the only company in the world that makes them – is a curtain of optical plastic that takes up the whole stage.
“It’s just magical. The best in the world,” Steele said.
The virtual backgrounds help cut down on the need to design and build physical scenery and sustain a more environmentally friendly workplace, and eliminates waste. Without so much scenery to break down and store, it’s a big time, space, and cost-saver for the theatre.
“This will pay for itself over three seasons,” said OCT Producing Artistic Director Greg Thompson, who also directs "Outside Mullingar." “It will immeasurably enrich the theatrical experience for our audiences. It’s a win for the community.”
The new system will provide unparalleled opportunities for OCT to create a fully immersive experience for audiences, with virtual backgrounds replacing physical scenery and realistically bringing to life any kind of habitat, weather, or special effect.
You want a tornado? Coming right up. An underwater scenario? No problem. A sojourn in the Gobi Desert? Pack your water bottles.
“We primarily use it right now to provide background, but it can do a lot more. We could put you in space or on an alien landscape,” Steele said. “It can cover pretty much any design scheme for a play, opera, or dance performance. Shows can be set absolutely anywhere, representing everything from the Everglades to to another galaxy. It’s just an incredible tool to create environments.”
OCT audiences can see the new projection system in action with "Outside Mullingar," as the verdant, vibrantly Irish hills of the Midlands come to life right onstage.
The fictional farms of the Reilly and Muldoon families are as green and lush as you can get without hopping a plane to the Emerald Isle. The background visuals are stunningly vivid, clear and almost freakishly tangible; so much so, you may find yourself looking for an umbrella when it starts to rain. The Barco system catapults OCT to the forefront of contemporary theater design and technology.
“The pace of theatrical design has really sped up in the past few decades,” Steele said. “It’s going on all over the world. This is a major investment in projection technology for storytelling, and it’s a major leveling-up.”
'Tornado Dead Zone' still an issue in Ocala but improved with radar enhancements
Dave Puglisihttps://www.fox35orlando.com/news/tornado-dead-zone-is-still-an-issue-in-ocala-one-year-after-torando
Florida's 'tornado dead zone' fixed with radar advancements: NWSThe National Weather Service says an area of North Florida that once lacked low-level radar used to spot tornadoes now has proper coverage. The "tornado dead zone" as it was called included parts of Marion, Sumter, and Putnam counties. A Jacksonville radar that had been down in 2022 for maintenance is also back online.OCALA, Fla. - It’s been one year since a tornado tore through Marion County. The EF-1 tornado was on the ground on...
Florida's 'tornado dead zone' fixed with radar advancements: NWS
The National Weather Service says an area of North Florida that once lacked low-level radar used to spot tornadoes now has proper coverage. The "tornado dead zone" as it was called included parts of Marion, Sumter, and Putnam counties. A Jacksonville radar that had been down in 2022 for maintenance is also back online.
OCALA, Fla. - It’s been one year since a tornado tore through Marion County. The EF-1 tornado was on the ground on March 12 for 35 minutes, spanning 26 miles from Dunnellon to Ocala, but not a single alert was sent to notify people of the storm.
Today, the businesses along State Road 200 near exit 350 on Interstate 75 have been repaired on the outside, but the scars of the storm can still be seen along the tree line. There snapped branches still bare a reminder of the storm.
"It started raining really hard. Next thing we know we hear this most of obnoxious crumble," said Kim Stokes.
Stokes was inside Paddock Park Veterinary one year ago right as an EF-1 tornado was barreling in on them.
"It was an awful day that’s for sure. It’s taking a long time to get back to where we are now," said Practice Manager Vicki Bennett.
The storm forced Paddock Park to close for 10 days and relocate 57 animals. It took months for them to get a new roof and complete other repairs. Inside, some of their rooms are still gutted to repair water damage caused by the storm.
"I’m sure there are people who still don’t even have their homes repaired. I’ve seen roofs still with tarps from that," said Bennett.
The National Weather Service never issued an alert for the tornado that day. That is when FOX 35 News uncovered the "Tornado Dead Zone" in North Central Florida, where radar struggled to detect smaller, lower-to-the-ground EF0 to EF1 tornados. At the same time, the Jacksonville radar tower that normally covered the area was down for maintenance. Today, it’s back online to help with coverage, but Marion County officials would still like to see more.
"Population-wise and what we have now, I do think we need to be consistently looking at coverages and where the needs are," said Marion County Emergency Management Director Preston Bowlin.
Marion County legislatures have pushed for more radar coverage over the last year, but things remain status quo. Instead, officials and residents still rely on additional forms of coverage like weather spotters and local meteorologists to help fill in the gaps.
"I have the weather app – your weather app," said Stokes.
Stokes received our FOX 35 Weather app notification of a tornado warning in northern Marion County on Monday morning. Officials also suggest signing up for alerts through AlertMarion.com to keep you informed.
No one was hurt during the March 2022 tornado.
I-75 mess in Ocala: Truck hits/damages overpass at SW 66th Street
Austin L. Millerhttps://www.ocala.com/story/news/local/2023/02/22/northbound-lanes-closed-in-ocala-after-i-75-crash-at-sw-66th-street/69931561007/
Editor's note: This story was revised at 9:25 p.m. to report that northbound I-75 lanes are open.The nightmare on Interstate 75 is now over.Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the northbound lanes on the highway opened at 8:55 p.m. An overhead bridge above I-75 remains closed for repairs.Troopers said a semitractor-trailer traveling north on I-75 with an oversized load hit and damaged the overpass at Southwest 66th Street (Williams Road) on Wednesday, causing officials to close northbound lanes a...
Editor's note: This story was revised at 9:25 p.m. to report that northbound I-75 lanes are open.
The nightmare on Interstate 75 is now over.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the northbound lanes on the highway opened at 8:55 p.m. An overhead bridge above I-75 remains closed for repairs.
Troopers said a semitractor-trailer traveling north on I-75 with an oversized load hit and damaged the overpass at Southwest 66th Street (Williams Road) on Wednesday, causing officials to close northbound lanes and leading to severe traffic backups.
The incident occurred at 9:14 a.m., FHP officials said. The truck was hauling a large steel tank as cargo. No one was injured.
"As the unit travelled under the SW 66 Street/Williams Road overpass, the top of the tank struck the undercarriage of the overpass," the FHP wrote in a news release.
"Work crews are currently removing damaged concrete from the overpass," the patrol said in a 2 p.m. update. "Debris removal, and possible temporary repairs are expected to last for the next three hours or longer."
At that point, all northbound traffic was being diverted at County Road 484 near Belleview. Southbound lanes were open, but slow going. Southwest 66th Street (Williams Road) was closed.
An FHP news release identified the truck driver only as a 50-year-old man from Lakeland.
Officials said the driver was making a delivery in Ocala when the incident occurred.
As of 7 p.m., the interstate was still closed. Officials are hoping to open the roadway before the next day. Inspectors called to the scene as soon as the crash happened had concluded their work before nightfall. Officials put a wrapping on the bridge so loose concrete would not fall on vehicles traveling below.
Law enforcement officials detoured traffic throughout Marion County, which caused major headaches for drivers. Most side streets and roadways were clogged with vehicles.
Troopers also had to work more than their fair share of crashes throughout the day. Shortly after 7 p.m., FHP officials had nine crashes that required a trooper. And there was one fatal crash in Ocala.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
Marion County commissioners unanimously approve construction of a Buc-ee's in Ocala
Bradley Shimelhttps://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/economy-business/2023-02-22/marion-county-commissioners-unanimously-approve-construction-of-a-buc-ees-in-ocala
Fans of Buc-ee’s Brisket and Beaver Nuggets celebrated a milestone Tuesday.Marion County Commissioners unanimously approved a zoning change to allow for the construction of a Buc-ee’s gas station on a 32.83-acre portion of Baldwin Angus Ranch in Ocala.County commissioners approved a plan to build an 80,000-square-foot store with three fuel centers, 120 fuel stations, and a 125-foot sign.Buc-ee’s is not your ordinary gas station. In addition to the usual convenience store snacks, the travel centers serve...
Fans of Buc-ee’s Brisket and Beaver Nuggets celebrated a milestone Tuesday.
Marion County Commissioners unanimously approved a zoning change to allow for the construction of a Buc-ee’s gas station on a 32.83-acre portion of Baldwin Angus Ranch in Ocala.
County commissioners approved a plan to build an 80,000-square-foot store with three fuel centers, 120 fuel stations, and a 125-foot sign.
Buc-ee’s is not your ordinary gas station. In addition to the usual convenience store snacks, the travel centers serve hot food, including breakfast, brisket and deli sandwiches and its signature sweet corn puff snacks called Beaver Nuggets, 24 hours a day.
It also has electric car charging stations, and the stores are known for their award-winning clean bathrooms.
The company has stores in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri. Each store location is massive. The New Braunfels, Texas, store currently holds the world record for the largest convenience store at 66,335 square feet.
Buc-ee’s is also known for its distinguished mascot: Buc-ee the Beaver.
All five Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted to change the zoning from agriculture to planned urban development for 32.83 acres of the 574-acre Baldwin Angus Ranch near County Road 326 and I-75. Each commissioner expressed their desire to be first in line for a brisket sandwich.
“Every time we go out in the community, we have too many car washes, too many gas stations being built.[There’s] not much we can do about it,” District 4 Commissioner Carl Zalak III said. “But everybody we talk to can’t wait for Buc-ee’s to be there.”
This is the third Buc-ee’s to open in Florida. The first store opened in St. Augustine in February 2021, and the second in Daytona Beach the following month.
Buc-ee’s fanatics across the state of Florida are rejoicing following the zoning change approval.
Ever since it was founded in 1982, the gas station brand has developed a large following. Customers show their passion for the stores by sporting clothing, cups and other merchandise with the Buc-ee’s logo.
Sammy Vaserstein, a University of Florida student and a loyal supporter of the Texas-based gas station said he considers the commission’s approval to be a dream come true.
“I feel like it’s the Disneyworld of gas stations,” Vaserstein says. “Usually, you stop at a gas station, and it’s part of a trip you don’t enjoy. But with Buc-ee’s, it becomes a highlight of your trip as opposed to the worst part.”
A South Florida resident, Vaserstein said he will be able to stop at the gas station while traveling throughout Florida.
While there are already two Buc-ee’s in Florida, this station will be opened in the middle of the state in a densely populated transportation location.
The newly approved Buc-ee’s will not open until construction for the I-75 interchange project at State Road 951 in Collier County, tentatively set for late 2025, is completed.
Ocala National Forest Road Trip: Discovering Florida's Wild Side And Hidden Gems
Noah Staatshttps://www.thetravel.com/what-is-the-best-drive-through-ocala-national-forest/
For those seeking a tranquil getaway from the bustling crowds of theme parks and beaches, the Ocala National Forest offers a serene retreat. Located just north of Orlando, this vast forest boasts an impressive 383,000 acres of sand pine scrub forest, natural springs, and hundreds of lakes and ponds, making it a nature lover's paradise.One of the highlights of the Ocala National Forest is the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, which provides visitors with a picturesque drive through the heart of the forest. The route takes travelers on a...
For those seeking a tranquil getaway from the bustling crowds of theme parks and beaches, the Ocala National Forest offers a serene retreat. Located just north of Orlando, this vast forest boasts an impressive 383,000 acres of sand pine scrub forest, natural springs, and hundreds of lakes and ponds, making it a nature lover's paradise.
One of the highlights of the Ocala National Forest is the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, which provides visitors with a picturesque drive through the heart of the forest. The route takes travelers on a 60-mile journey through some of Florida's most untouched landscapes, including the winding Yearling Trail that passes by a sinkhole and the remains of 19th-century homesteads.
The Ocala National Forest is also home to several recreation areas, such as Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, and Salt Springs. Visitors can cool off in natural pools or take a leisurely canoe ride down the crystal-clear waters. Lake Kerr and Lake George, two of the largest lakes in the forest, offer opportunities for boating and fishing. With its abundant natural beauty, the Ocala National Forest is an ideal destination for those seeking an escape into the great outdoors.
What Can You Do At Ocala National Forest?
The open road surrounded by forest in Ocala National Forest - an epic Florida roadtrip
For anyone traveling to the Ocala National Forest, there are plenty of fun things to see and do. Since this forest covers over 387,000 acres, there are endless possibilities for visitors. Whether the person visiting prefers to stay in their car and sight-see, walk in the tree-filled pathways, or even jump into a canoe and explore the waterways, the Ocala National Forest is a nature enthusiast's dream.
According to past travelers, here are some activities to try while at the Ocala National Forest:
Related: Exploring The Florida Everglades: Hiking Trails, Camping Sites, & Eco-Adventures In The Swamp
One thing about the Ocala National Forest is that anyone who goes will want to explore nature. Although guests can drive through the heart of the park by taking the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, it's worth it to pull over and take in the scenery.
Furthermore, while in the Ocala National Park area, tourists can also check out places like the Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Silver River Museum & Environmental Center, Ocala Civic Theater, Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, and countless others.
Luckily, Ocala is populated enough to have plenty of restaurants, hotels, shopping, and entertainment, once someone is done adventuring through the forest.
If a visitor wants to see more greenery in Florida, visiting Apalachicola National Forest may also be worth adding to the itinerary. Withlacoochee State Forest is another great stop for hikers, so Florida is filled with spots to breathe in the fresh air and get active.
How Close To Downtown Ocala Is The Ocala National Forest?
The Ocala National Forest is roughly 25 miles from downtown Ocala. Although the forest is within the city of Ocala, because of its size, there is a bit of a drive. Specifically, visitors will want to take FL-40 W to the downtown square, where there will be places to eat, shop, stay, and walk around.
Ocala is an equestrian community, so much of its history and tourism surrounds horses. For those who want to ride horses, there are countless opportunities in both Ocala and the Ocala National Forest, which could be worth looking into.
While in Florida, horse lovers may want to meet the famous Gypsy Vanner horses on this unique Florida farm tour.
On top of horse-related activities, downtown Ocala and leading into the Ocala National Forest, there are a few hotels to stay at, including:
Additionally, some places to grab a bite in the Ocala National Forest area include:
Visitors to the Ocala National Forest may prefer to eat in downtown Ocala, as there will be a broader range of cuisine.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Ocala National Forest?
Although the Ocala National Forest is gorgeous year-round, many people prefer to go during winter. Because Ocala is in central Florida, it sees mild weather through the fall, winter, and spring - perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the forest.
The average highs during the day in Ocala during winter stay in the mid-70s, which means guests to the forest may not even need a jacket. Florida is one of the best warm winter destinations for travelers, so it's perfect for anyone trying to escape a harsh winter region.
Related: Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale For Culture Lovers: Art Galleries, Theaters, & Festivals In The Heart Of The CityCrowd sizes are also down during the winter, as many people come to the Ocala National Forest during the springtime. Because of its location, Ocala National Forest will be pretty moderate throughout the year, so whenever someone wants to visit, they can.
Many past visitors recommend heading out to Ocala National Forest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November, and December, so there is plenty of time for nice weather. Ocala also puts on a festive holiday display throughout the downtown region during November and December. So, a winter trip to the park could be an excuse to see Christmas lights and enjoy the town's festivities.
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